Written Answers Nos. 128-147
128. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the programme for Government measures that are in place to recruit and retain staff in the disability sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13096/26]
View answerStrengthening the disability workforce is essential to delivering on the step change in disability services commitment contained in the Programme for Government.
Although global shortages of qualified healthcare professionals continue to pose challenges, progress on recruitment is being made. The disability workforce is expanding year on year. In 2025 alone, the combined HSE and Section 38 workforce grew by 1,053 Whole-Time Equivalents (WTE), an increase of almost 5%.
The October 2025 Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) Workforce Report indicates that there has been a 28% increase in CDNT staffing levels nationwide in the preceding two years. This equates to an additional 448 WTE.
Building on growth achieved in 2025, Budget 2026 will allow for further targeted expansion in the workforce across key services, including Residential and Respite Services, Day Services, Children’s Services and Neurorehabilitation.
The HSE and lead agencies are actively working to optimise recruitment into disability services and CDNTs, which in turn has a positive impact on retaining the staff already working in the sector. The HSE maximises applicant engagement opportunities on an ongoing basis to encourage uptake of vacancies in Disability services, including recruitment fairs, outreach to third level colleges and secondary schools, presence at national events as well as virtual engagements.
The HSE have also enabled funded agencies to advertise their vacant posts through HSE advertisement channels, which provides agencies with direct access to the substantial candidate pools registered on the HSE CareerHub portal. In 2026 the HSE will develop targeted retention actions and innovative recruitment campaigns to address persistent vacancies and optimise recruitment across all service providers, ensuring the workforce reaches its funded level.
The Programme for Government commits to doubling the number of college places for Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCPs). Last June, the Government approved an expansion in training places in disciplines critical to disability, health and education services from September 2025. This expansion will provide up to 461 additional places by 2028, with the majority having commenced in 2025.
Clinical placements in CDNTs have increased by 55% in the past two years and significant further growth is required across all Disability services, to align with the increased training places. Budget 2026 has provided for an enhanced clinical placement infrastructure in the disability sector, with dedicated resources within the HSE’s 2026 WTE allocation to support sustainable practice education.
A dedicated Disability Workforce Strategy will be developed by the HSE in 2026, to meet growing service demands and address recruitment and retention challenges across specialist disability services. Developing effective retention and workforce development initiatives requires a deeper understanding of the factors that support staff to remain working and practising within the disability sector. The HSE has commissioned a research study examining retention factors in CDNTs and the insights from this study will inform the wider Disability Workforce Strategy.
129. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the efforts being made to increase the provision of childcare services in Cork East; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13378/26]
View answerImproving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.
Each year, Pobal compiles data from Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) providers as part of the Early Years Sector Profile.
The most recent published capacity data for the 2024/25 programme year estimated that there were 17,025 children enrolled in ELC and SAC services in Cork County. This data also indicated that 43% of services in Cork County had at least one vacant place. In Cork City, there were an estimated 8,617 children enrolled in ELC and SAC services and 40% of services had at least one vacant place.
At the time of the survey, there were 388 ELC and SAC service providers in Cork County and 171 ELC and SAC service providers in Cork City that had a contract for at least one Department funded programme/scheme.
Further information can be found on the Early Learning and Childcare data website. The Capacity Section of the website provides information on the number of children enrolled, services with vacant places, and services with a waiting list.
Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2024/25 shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by approximately 25% from the 2021/22 programme year. However, it appears that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply in certain parts of the country, particularly for younger children.
The Department continues to support the ongoing development and resourcing of Core Funding which has given rise to a significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced. Core Funding, which is in its fourth programme year, funds services based on the number of places available.
This provides stability to services, and reduces the risk associated with opening a new service or expanding an already existing service. For the third programme year, the allocation for Core Funding allowed for a 6% increase in capacity. Budget 2025 secured funding for the fourth programme year to facilitate a further 3.5% increase from September 2025. Budget 2026 has made provision for the fifth programme year for a further expansion in supply of 4.2%.
This increased investment will allow increases in the natural growth of the sector driven both by new services joining the sector and existing services offering more places and/or longer hours to families.
The total allocation for Core Funding in 2026/2027 programme year will increase to €436.54 million, an additional €43.90 million on the current full year allocation.
The Government is also supporting the expansion of capacity through capital funding. The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is designed to increase capacity in the 1–3-year-old, pre–Early Childhood Care and Education, age range for full day care. Core Funding Partner Services could apply for capital funding to physically extend their premises or to construct or purchase new premises. The Scheme will deliver up to 1,500 full-day care places for 1- to 3-year-olds.
I recently announced €135 million of capital investment over the coming five years for State-led services to provide high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare. The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative.
Up to eight buildings will be selected for investment this year. The State-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030.
The level of investment will ramp up over the lifetime of the Government. The initial approach is on purchasing and refurbishment of buildings given that this is a faster route to delivery in the short term. However, the option of building new facilities will also be considered over subsequent years.
The Department is assessing sites and buildings which align with the goals of the programme and, where required, will seek expressions of interest from not for profit operators to deliver these State-led services.
130. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide an interim report on her Department’s research on a national childcare agency. [13269/26]
View answerOn 29th March 2022 Government accepted the findings of the independent Review of the Early Learning and Childcare Operating Model in Ireland that a dedicated state agency is the optimal operating model for the early learning and childcare sector for the years ahead.
Significant progress has already been made in advancing this ambitious and transformative reform programme. A Programme Oversight Board was established to oversee this important work, comprising interdepartmental representatives alongside several external experts with experience at senior level in change management and large-scale reform, leadership, governance, public policy, and a knowledge of the sector.
DCDE engaged independent consultants Indecon in December 2023, on foot of a competitive procurement process, to undertake an initial phase of research, analysis and stakeholder engagement to inform the design of the agency. Indecon’s work is largely complete and in November 2025 a draft consolidated report was approved in principle by the Agency Programme Oversight Board. Those final edits are being concluded. In the coming weeks further Consultation and engagement with key Government Departments is planned. This will be in advance of returning to update government, as was committed to in the decision of March 2022.
131. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when she expects premises and projects for investment to be identified as part of the move to State acquisition of buildings to provide childcare services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12390/26]
View answerI recently announced €135 million in capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare up to 2030. The process will begin in 2026 with the acquisition of buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for this government. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the buildings, depending on requirements.
The level of investment will ramp up over the lifetime of the Government. The initial approach is on purchasing and refurbishment of buildings given that this is a faster route to delivery in the short term. However, the option of building new facilities will also be considered over subsequent years.
The Department is assessing sites and buildings and, where required, will seek expressions of interest from operators to deliver these State-led services.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality was in discussions with local authorities and State agencies, including the Land Development Agency, about the potential for acquiring buildings.
Advanced discussions are ongoing with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in relation to the early learning and care facility at the Shanganagh Castle Estate, and a range of other projects are also being considered.
Up to eight capital projects will be selected under the programme in 2026. No final decisions have yet been made on the specific projects but I look forward to sharing details of projects as they are agreed.
Local City and County Childcare Committees will be supporting the development of projects so in the first instance, community early learning and childcare operators, local authorities, developers, or others who might have a suitable premises or project should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee, whose details can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees/
132. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures being taken to reduce the backlog for assessments of need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13364/26]
View answerGovernment recognises the unacceptable delays for families in accessing Assessments of Need. Intensive work is underway by the Department and the HSE to address delays and improve the system.
An Assessment of Need is a specific, formal process to determine if a child has a disability as defined under the Disability Act 2005. If it is determined that the child has a disability as defined under the Act, the Assessment of Need process should identify any health and/or education needs, as well as the health services required to meet these needs.
However, demand for Assessments of Need has increased significantly in recent years, reflecting both the increase in population and families exploring all options to access services for their child. Applications for Assessment of Need have risen from 4,700 applications in 2020 to over 13,000 in 2025.
Unfortunately, this demand is outpacing the capacity of the system to respond. Despite this, there has been continued improvement in the number of completed AON reports with over 5,900 completed in 2025, 43% more than 2024.
This improvement has been achieved by a number of measures, including the Assessment of Need Targeted Waitlist Initiative, which focuses on those families waiting longest for Assessments of Need. Under this Initiative, the HSE procures clinical assessments from approved private providers. Over 7,700 clinical assessments have been commissioned from private providers since the Initiative started in June 2024. The initiative will continue this year with €20 million provided for the delivery of some 6,000 clinical assessments, with a specific focus on autism assessments.
In December 2025, Government announced a series of changes to the Assessment of Need process intended to improve access to both assessments and therapies for children who need them. These changes include targeted amendments to Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005, which provides for Assessments of Need.
The proposed changes to the legislation include:
• Ensuring the assessment process focuses on a child’s needs, so that more intensive clinical assessments are only used where required.
• Development of statutory guidelines to better support HSE assessment officers.
The proposed legislative changes will not remove any rights for parents to apply for an Assessment of Need for their child. They also will not alter the statutory six-month timeline set out in the Disability Act.
The Bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Disability Matters for pre-legislative scrutiny and the General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill has been published on the Department’s website. An FAQ document has also been published, providing information on Assessment of Need and the proposed changes for parents and any other interested stakeholders.
It is important to recognise that legislation is only a part of the response. The HSE continues to work on a number of significant non-legislative actions to address the wider issue of access to services and supports for children with disabilities including:
• The creation of eleven new HSE teams, initially, to support assessment processes, including AON, providing clinical guidance and administrative supports.
• Implementation of the Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathways Protocol by the HSE in early 2026. The Protocol will provide a standardised assessment process across primary care, mental health and disability services. It will be the preferred assessment route for autism.
• Introduction of a Single Point of Access system by the HSE in 2026. This should make it easier for families to be referred to the right service, whether that is primary care, CDNT or mental health services. It aims to streamline referrals and reduce duplication, so children do not end up on multiple waiting lists.
The Department is working with the HSE to identify further opportunities to enhance processes, improve training, and increase administrative supports for HSE Assessment Officers who are responsible for the production of assessment reports. This includes the establishment of working groups to address learning and development needs and to develop statutory guidelines.
The provision of an effective and efficient Assessment of Need system continues to be a priority for the Government.
133. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide an update on the provision of affordable childcare across Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13317/26]
View answer165. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide an update on the provision of childcare services across Connemara; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13318/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 165 together.
I thank the Deputy for this question. Given that data is held on a County and County Division level only, it is proposed to take both PQ 13317/26 and PQ13318/26 together.
Tusla Early Years Inspectorate, the independent statutory regulator for early years services, including pre-school, childminding and school age services, is responsible for maintaining the register of services under the Child Care Act 1991. Data from Tusla Early Years Inspectorate is collated and verified on a rolling basis. The most recent data available is from the end of December 2025. From this, there are 253 preschool services, 91 Standalone School Age services and 11 childminders registered in County Galway.
Recent data indicates that a total of 296 early learning and school age childcare providers are contracted to deliver the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) in County Galway. This represents an increase in the number of services contracted to deliver the Scheme by 2.78%, when compared to 2025.
For context, the NCS provides subsidies to families to help reduce the cost of early learning and childcare. The Scheme has a significant impact on improving the affordability of early learning and childcare for thousands of families across the State. The total number of children who have benefitted from an NCS claim in County Galway in 2026 (YTD) is 14,237 – an increase of 9.77% when compared to the previous year. This is expected to increase throughout the year.
Both a Universal and Income-Assessed subsidy is available under the NCS for families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years of age. For families with an existing and valid NCS award, this can be used with any early learning and childcare service provider who has contracted to deliver the Scheme and is registered with Tusla – including childminders.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs are encouraged to contact their local City/County Childcare Committee who can support and advise them on options in their area. The network of 30 City/County Childcare Committees across the country are in a position to match children and families to services operating with vacant places. Details of local CCCs can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees/
134. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total amount of money spent to date by her Department on researching and developing a national childcare agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13268/26]
View answerIn March 2022, Government accepted the findings of the Independent Review of the Early Learning and Childcare Operating Model in Ireland that a dedicated National Early Learning and Childcare Agency is the optimal operating model for the sector for the years ahead. It is envisaged that the agency will undertake the functions currently carried out by Pobal Early Years (including Better Start), the City/County Childcare Committees, as well as early years operational functions currently undertaken by the Department.
Over the subsequent three year period, the research and development costs have amounted to €617,000 to date. This amount excludes the Department's direct salary costs in support of this project work.
135. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children on waiting lists for assessment of needs in Dublin Mid-West; the steps being taken to reduce waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13366/26]
View answerThe Government recognises that there are unacceptable delays in accessing Assessments of Need. The Department and the HSE are committed to addressing these delays.
It is important to note that children do not require an Assessment of Need to access health services, including Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams or Mental Health Services. However, demand for Assessments of Need has increased significantly in recent years, reflecting both the increase in population and families exploring all options to access services for their child.
Although data is not available for Dublin Mid-West specifically, it is provided at Regional Health Area (RHA) level, including for the Dublin and Midlands RHA. Most recent HSE data shows that there was an increase of 20% in the number of Assessment of Need applications received in the Dublin and Midlands RHA in 2025 compared to 2024. This reflects the significant growth in applications for Assessment of Need nationally which have risen from 4,700 applications in 2020 to over 13,000 in 2025.
Unfortunately, this demand is outpacing the capacity of the system to respond and is resulting in a growing number of applications overdue for completion (that is not completed within the statutory timeframe of 6 months from the receipt of the AON application). In the Dublin and Midlands RHA, 7,171 applications were overdue for completion at the end of 2025, according to the most recent HSE data.
Nevertheless, there has been a notable improvement in number of completed AON reports in the Dublin and Midlands RHA, increasing by over 90% from 498 to 2024 to 970 in 2025. This reflects the increased rate of completions nationally which rose by 43% to over 5,900 in 2025.
This improvement has been achieved by a number of measures, including the Assessment of Need Targeted Waitlist Initiative, which focuses on those families waiting longest for Assessments of Need. Under this Initiative, the HSE procures clinical assessments from approved private providers. Over 7,700 clinical assessments have been commissioned from private providers since the Initiative started in June 2024.
In December 2025, Government announced a series of changes to the AON process intended to improve access to both assessments and therapies for children who need them. These include targeted amendments to Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005, which provides for Assessments of Need. The proposed changes to the legislation include:
• Ensuring the assessment process focuses on a child’s needs, so that more intensive clinical assessments are only used where required.
• Development of statutory guidelines to better support HSE assessment officers.
The proposed legislative changes will not remove any rights for parents to apply for an Assessment of Need for their child. They also will not alter the statutory six-month timeline set out in the Disability Act.
The General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill has been published on the Department’s website. An FAQ document has also been published, providing information on Assessment of Need and the proposed changes for parents and any other interested stakeholders.
It is important to recognise that legislation is only a part of the response. The HSE continues to work on a number of significant non-legislative actions to address the wider issue of access to services and supports for children with disabilities including:
• The creation of eleven new HSE teams, initially, to support assessment processes, including AON, providing clinical guidance and administrative supports.
• Implementation of the Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathways Protocol by the HSE in early 2026. The Protocol will provide a standardised assessment process across primary care, mental health and disability services. It will be the preferred assessment route for autism.
• Introduction of a Single Point of Access system by the HSE in 2026. This should make it easier for families to be referred to the right service, whether that is primary care, CDNT or mental health services. It aims to streamline referrals and reduce duplication, so children do not end up on multiple waiting lists.
The Department is working with the HSE to identify further opportunities to enhance processes, improve training, and increase administrative supports for HSE Assessment Officers who are responsible for the production of assessment reports. This includes the establishment of working groups to address learning and development needs and to develop statutory guidelines.
The provision of an effective and efficient Assessment of Need system continues to be a priority for the Government.
136. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will outline the funding allocated for childminding development grants; the number of applicants who will be supported; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13363/26]
View answerThe Childminding Development Grant provides up to €1,000 to assist both registered and unregistered childminders who are providing a childminding service in their own homes. The grant aims to support childminders to enhance quality and safety in their service through the purchase of toys, childcare equipment, safety equipment, equipment to support inclusion and Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths (STEM) and the Arts education, as well as IT equipment to assist childminders to engage with training and registration processes. In 2025, the Department paid €413,338 to 415 childminders through the Childminding Development Grant.
The 2026 Childminding Development Grant opened for applications on 11 February, again providing up to €1,000 to assist registered and unregistered childminders, and will close for applications on 15 April. The total budget available for the grant in 2026 is €500,000.
The Grant scheme is open to all childminders, who are providing a childminding service in their own home. This includes registered childminders, those that are yet to register, and those who are planning to open a childminding business during 2026.
Applications to the Grant scheme are made at local level through the City and County Childcare Committees. Each City and County Childcare Committee employs a Childminding Development Officer, who provides a range of supports to local childminders, including providing information and support on the application process.
The City and County Childcare Committee contact details can be found online at:
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees/
137. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when details of the next building blocks scheme will be published; the likely timescale for the opening of applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13006/26]
View answerThe revised National Development Plan has allocated €197 million for capital investment in early learning and childcare over the next five years. This funding will be used in part to provide additional early learning and childcare places through future capital programmes, which will primarily focus on implementing the commitment to capital investment in State-owned early learning and childcare facilities, in addition to further investment in supports for the expansion of existing providers.
The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme 2025 is currently in operation. Successful applicants are in the process of finalising the legal formalities associated with the scheme, with some services actively delivering their projects.
Following on from the success of the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme, a further Building Blocks scheme will open for applications in 2026. This round of capital funding will focus on funding extensions to existing premises to allow for increased numbers of children to be offered places on a full-time basis. Community and private providers who are currently Core Funding partner services will be eligible to apply for this scheme.
I expect to announce details of the next Building Blocks scheme in the coming weeks.
Separately, the Department is embarking on programme of capital investment in State-led early learning and childcare which will make investment in buildings to support the expansion of full day places, particularly for young children. This investment will constitute purchase and/or fit out of buildings depending on the specifics of particular projects. Details of this programme were announced by the Department on 21st January.
138. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a schedule has been set to reach the planned €200 per month maximum childcare cost as set out in the programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13372/26]
View answerI have always been clear in communicating that the €200 per month commitment is over the lifetime of this Government. While Shaping the Future, the Early Years Action Plan Phase 1 Report, sets out the next steps towards this long-term ambition, I have not waited until now to take action. In September 2025, maximum fee caps were extended to all Partner Services in Core Funding. Budget 2026 also enables Core Funding to continue to support fee-control measures. It will ensure fees remain at 2021 levels for a majority of providers.
A central objective of Shaping the Future is to reduce parental fees to an upper limit of €200 per month over the lifetime of the Government. However, this objective cannot be achieved through the National Childcare Scheme alone. The fee-freeze and maximum fee-caps required for Core Funding have been key to the progress in recent years in making early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services more affordable.
The Phase 1 report of Shaping the Future sets out actions which will be carried out in 2026 using existing policy tools. 2026 actions on affordability will include further reduction in some of the highest fees paid by parents by lowering the maximum fees that Core Funding Partner Services can charge. In addition, from autumn 2026 we will reduce fees for lower-income families through the National Childcare Scheme, to ensure that families with incomes below the relative income poverty line receive the maximum subsidies.
Phase 1 of the Action Plan includes:
• An increase to the lower (base) income threshold of the income-assessed subsidy from €26,000 to €34,000.
• An increase to the upper income threshold (income limit) of the income-assessed subsidy from €60,000 to €68,000, to extend income-assessed subsidies to more families.
• An increase to the multiple child deduction (MCD) component of the income-assessed subsidy for families with two children under the age of 15 from €4,300 to €5,500, and for families with three or more children under the age of 15 from €8,600 to €11,000
Phase 2 actions will be undertaken from 2027 to 2029. While we need to make progress quickly, the actions we take must be sustainable, underpinned by public consultation and research, and delivered in a way that supports families, the workforce and service providers. That is why a broad public consultation will be undertaken, in line with the Programme for Government commitment, to inform the identification of further actions. Phase 2 actions will be published later in 2026 and will include a roadmap to reduce parental fees to a maximum of €200 per month over the lifetime of the Government.
139. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide an update on the number of childminders, registered under the relevant childminding regulations, providing services from the childminders’ home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13321/26]
View answerChildminders are a hugely important part of early learning and care and school-age childcare provision, and they continue to be the option of choice for many families.
All paid, non-relative childminders who work in their own homes can now register with Tusla and access the National Childcare Scheme.
As of end December 2025, 634 childminders had completed the short pre-registration training course and 158 childminders were registered with Tusla.
The childminding-specific Regulations came into effect in September 2024, with a statutory transition period of three years ending in September 2027. Registration is therefore not mandatory until the end of this transition period.
This phased approach aims to facilitate the largest possible number of childminders to enter the regulated sector, the sphere of quality assurance, and access to Government subsidies, while recognising the time and supports required for childminders to learn about and prepare for registration.
Supports are available for childminders at local level through the City and County Childcare Committees. Each City and County Childcare Committee employs a Childminding Development Officer, who provides a range of supports to local childminders, including delivery of the short pre-registration training course. Financial supports are also available; the 2026 Childminding Development Grant opened for applications on the 11 February.
The Department has committed to undertake a review of the initial implementation of the Childminding-specific Regulations during the transition period. The review will commence in 2026 and will include consultation with childminders and other stakeholders.
140. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the measures her Department is taking to reduce therapy waiting lists for disabled persons. [12949/26]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
141. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will address the growing crisis of 'childcare deserts', and the 40,000-long waiting list for children under three; if she will commit to a definitive date for introducing pay parity between early years graduates and primary school teachers to stem the exodus of qualified staff, which is currently preventing the opening of 17,000 unused childcare places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13309/26]
View answerImproving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.
Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2024/25 shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by approximately 25% from the 2021/22 programme year. However, it appears that demand remains higher than available supply in certain parts of the country, particularly for younger children.
The Department continues to support the ongoing development and resourcing of Core Funding which has given rise to a significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced. Core Funding, which is in its fourth programme year, funds services based on the number of places available.
This provides stability to services, and reduces the risk associated with opening a new service or expanding an already existing service. For the third programme year (2024/25), the allocation for Core Funding allowed for a 6% increase in capacity. Budget 2025 secured funding for the fourth programme year (2025/6) to facilitate a further 3.5% increase from September 2025. Budget 2026 has made provision for the fifth programme year (2026/7) for a further expansion in supply of 4.2%.
This increased investment will allow increases in the natural growth of the sector driven both by new services joining the sector and existing services offering more places and/or longer hours to families.
The total allocation for Core Funding in 2026/2027 programme year will increase to €436.54 million, an additional €43.90 million on the current full year allocation.
The Government is also supporting the expansion of capacity through capital funding. The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is designed to increase capacity in the 1 to 3 year old, pre–Early Childhood Care and Education, age range for full day care. Core Funding Partner Services could apply for capital funding to physically extend their premises or to construct or purchase new premises. The Scheme will deliver up to 1,500 full-day care places for 1 to 3 year olds.
I recently announced €135 million of capital investment over the coming five years for State-led services to provide high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare. The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative.
Up to eight buildings will be selected for investment this year. The State-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030. There will be a particular focus in the new state-led facilities on providing places for 1-3 year old children because this is where the need is greatest.
Although the Government is the primary funder of the sector, it is not the employer and cannot directly set wages or conditions.
The Joint Labour Committee is the formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate minimum pay rates, which are set down in Employment Regulation Orders, and is independent in its functions.
The latest ERO came into effect in October 2025.
Outcomes from the Joint Labour Committee process are supported by Government through Core Funding. In this programme year 2025/26 Core Funding has increased by 6% to approximately €350 million with an additional €45 million in ring-fenced Core Funding provided to support services in meeting the increased cost of minimum pay rates in the sector.
I recently announced, as part of the launch of Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan in December, another allocation of up to €15m of ring-fenced funding from September 2026, which amounts up to €45m for the full programme year, to support service providers with costs associated with possible increases in minimum rates of pay negotiated via the independent Joint Labour Committee process.
Regarding waiting lists, there is no centralised waiting list for Early Learning and Childcare, each list is managed at service level. While waiting list data can be used to give an indication of demand, it should not be used as a measure of overall demand for Early Learning and Childcare places as it is vulnerable to overestimating the actual number of children requiring a place. An individual child may be on multiple waiting lists in different services and may remain on one or multiple service lists after taking up a place.
The most recently published Annual Early Years Sector Profile capacity data for the 2024/25 programme year indicated that the estimated enrolments for 1-3 year olds has continued to increase, with 40,410 estimated enrolments in 2025, a 12% increase on the 2021/22 Programme Year.
142. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline her plans to increase respite services for children in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11690/26]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
143. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number, and age, of ECCE scheme applicants in the towns of Leixlip, Maynooth, Celbridge and Naas in the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13386/26]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provides universal, 2 free preschool years to children in the eligible age range of 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 6 months. Children must turn 2 years and 8 months on or before 31st August at the start of the programme year to be eligible for ECCE. Only children in this age range are ECCE eligible.
Data supplied by Pobal, the administrators of the ECCE programme on behalf of the Department, shows the number of children availing of the ECCE scheme, aged between 2 years 8 months to 5 years 6 months, from Leixlip, Maynooth, Celbridge, and Naas over the past five years are in tabular form below:
|
Town |
ECCE 2021 |
ECCE 2022 |
ECCE 2023 |
ECCE 2024 |
ECCE 2025 |
|
Celbridge |
451 |
445 |
375 |
374 |
359 |
|
Leixlip |
406 |
449 |
447 |
481 |
457 |
|
Maynooth |
449 |
459 |
432 |
404 |
412 |
|
Naas |
573 |
551 |
591 |
678 |
652 |
|
TOTAL |
1,876 |
1,891 |
1,841 |
1,933 |
1,874 |
144. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the regulations for childminders will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13217/26]
View answerThe National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 set out a pathway for the extension of regulation to childminders. As a result of the commencement of the relevant parts of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024 and the Childminding Services Regulations, which came into effect on 30 September 2024, childminders are now able to apply to register with Tusla. We are now in a 3-year transition period during which childminders are being encouraged and supported to register, but registration is not yet mandatory.
The Department has committed to undertake a review of the initial implementation of the Childminding-specific Regulations during the transition period. The review will include consultation with childminders and other stakeholders. The review will provide an important opportunity to learn lessons from initial experiences with the regulations.
As I have said previously, the review will commence as early as possible in 2026. The timing of the review is crucial. In addition to hearing from childminders who have not yet registered, it is important that the review adequately captures, and benefits from, the experiences of those who have registered and been through the registration process and who have operated within the new Regulations.
The scope and timing of the review of the initial implementation of the Regulations was discussed at the most recent meeting of the Steering Group on the National Action Plan for Childminding, on the 2 December. Plans for the review will be considered further by the Steering Group at the next scheduled meeting.
145. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the work of her Department in encouraging childcare providers to engage in core funding. [12770/26]
View answerCore Funding has been designed with maximum participation of providers in mind as reflected in the year-on-year growth of investment in the Scheme (rising from €259 million in year 1 to over €390 million in year 4). This represents an increase of over 50% in Core Funding in three years.
I was delighted to announce further investment in Core Funding in Budget 2026. The additional funding being made available in 2026 will see the allocation for Core Funding in the next programme year, which begins in September 2026, increase to over €480 million. That is an additional €87.6 million on the current full year allocation, or a 22% increase.
The allocation for programme year 2026/27 will facilitate:
• Natural capacity growth of 4.2% across the sector.
• Additional capacity growth created by the new Building Blocks grants.
• Support for providers in adhering to the fee management conditions including the continued fee freeze and reductions to the maximum fee caps in the 2026/2027 programme year.
• Support for improved pay for early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners with implementation of new 2025 Employment Regulation Orders, with further increases in pay to be supported through enhancement in year 5 of the scheme.
In addition to this increased allocation, participation in Core Funding unlocks additional support for services to access, including:
• Access to wider financial supports where a service is experiencing financial difficulty or has concerns about their viability
• Access to enhanced support for services caring for a concentrated number of children facing disadvantage through Equal Start; and
• Opportunities to apply for capital grants through the Department
Participation in Core Funding is optional, but it remains open to all registered providers subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the Core Funding Agreement.
It is a matter for providers to decide whether they wish to sign up to Core Funding and avail of the significant financial supports it offers to providers and the certainty it gives to parents through the associated fee management measures.
It should be noted that uptake of Core Funding remains strong. The fourth programme year of Core Funding began on 1 September 2025 and as of 9 February, there were 4,615 services signed up to Year 4 of Core Funding. This represents 93% uptake of all eligible services. This is the highest number of Partner Services in Core Funding at any point since the scheme was launched in 2022 and the number continues to grow.
I am encouraged by this rate of participation: it shows that Core Funding is working as intended, and the vast majority of families will continue to benefit from the scheme’s fee management conditions.
146. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to consult with representative organisations in relation to the Disability (Amendment) Bill 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13291/26]
View answer155. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will engage with parents who are unhappy with the proposed changes to the assessment of need process under the general scheme for the Disability (Amendment) Bill 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13290/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 155 together.
Under the Disability Act, an Assessment of Need is an assessment process carried out by the HSE where a person is of the opinion that they may have a disability, for anyone born on/after 1st June 2002. It first establishes whether the person has a disability (as defined within the Act). It then identifies the health and education needs of the person with a disability and the services required to meet those needs.
I must emphasise that children do not require an Assessment of Need to access health services, including Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams or mental health services. However, demand for Assessments of Need has increased significantly in recent years. This reflects both the increase in population and families exploring all options to access services for their child. This has led to a growing backlog of applications and long waits for children and their families.
On December 9th, Government announced a series of changes to the Assessment of Need (AON) process which will make the process more effective and efficient for children and families. These changes include legislative reform of Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005, which provides for Assessments of Need. The General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill was recently published on the Department’s website along with an FAQ document for parents, families and other stakeholders.
The Department has received and responded to a number of representations from parents who are concerned about what these changes to the AON process may mean for their child. I acknowledge the frustration of parents and families who are impacted by the delays in assessment and therapies for their children and want to assure them that intensive work is underway by the Department and the HSE to improve the system.
Importantly, the proposed legislative changes will be supported by operational and administrative actions and will not remove any rights for parents to apply for an Assessment of Need for their child, nor will they alter the statutory six-month timeline set out in the Disability Act.
The Department is currently at an early stage of the legislative process. Pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Committee on Disability Matters is underway. As the Deputy is aware, the Committee may invite stakeholders to participate and produce a report with recommendations to the Bill based on its scrutiny. The Committee has also published a ‘Call for Public Consultation’ as part of the scrutiny, and individuals and groups are invited to send submissions to the Committee.
The work on the proposed changes to Part 2 of the Disability Act was informed by inputs from stakeholders during the development of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People and by the review of the Interim Guidance for the HSE Assessment of Need Standard Operating Procedure, undertaken by the National Clinical Programme for People with Disability (NCPPD). The latter was supported by a multistakeholder Task Group who contributed to the evidence base for changes. The review report is now available online.
As well as these engagements on the legislation, this Department and the HSE have engaged in a number of stakeholder consultations either directly focussed on AON or where AON was a significant topic, for example:
• Presentations by the Department over the past year to the Young Ireland Advisory Council on the issues of concern on AON and the need to streamline processes.
• A series of meetings with HSE management and operational staff about the Assessment of Need process led by the Department to discuss potential process improvements.
• Feedback through advisory groups for the HSE Roadmap for Service Improvement, which include parents’ reps and through family fora established under the Roadmap.
• Consultative engagement on AON legislative reforms with regional HSE teams in 2025.
The provision of an effective and efficient Assessment of Need system and the provision of services to children as early as possible continue to be a priority for the Government.
There is a recognised need to review and update existing disability legislation, particularly following Ireland’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. A wider review of the Disability Act will be a key priority for the Department in 2026. Work to scope out a comprehensive review is ongoing within the Department and the review will be carried out in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders.
147. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether a formal co-ordination or mediation framework exists between her Department, the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Youth to support joint assessment, information-sharing and integrated planning for children with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13282/26]
View answerUnder the Programme for Government, the Government and the Department is committed to ensuring that children with disabilities who need early intervention and therapy input can access that support in a timely way. Whilst The National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (PDS) (2009) is the guiding policy for children’s disability services, there is a cross-Governmental approach to the provision of health and educational services for children with complex needs.
The Cross-Sectoral Group on Disability Issues for Children and Young People (CSG) provides leadership and supports decision-making for key Government Departments and Agencies which have a role in the delivery of disability services. The group was jointly re-established by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the Department of Education and Youth in February 2025.
The CSG provides a forum for the lead actors who have a responsibility for the formulation of sectoral policy and delivery of services to children and young people with disabilities in Ireland. It is intended to assist in coordination of key strategic objectives that have a cross-sectoral dimension, to provide a channel through which challenges and obstacles may be addressed, and through which important information may be shared.
The Special Schools’ Pilot Steering Group has been incorporated as a sub working group of the broader Cross-Sectoral Group. The ultimate purpose of the sub working group is the successful and effective implementation of the Special Schools’ Pilot.
The Department is also working with the Department of Education and Youth through the Education and Health Oversight Group for the Implementation of the Education Therapy Service (ETS). This group operates under the governance of the Steering Group for the Design and Delivery of the ETS.
The primary responsibility of this group is to ensure alignment and integration of working between Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists working in schools and those in the existing services.
The Education Therapy Service is a standalone commitment under the Programme for Government and represents a major cross departmental initiative to strengthen supports for children with special educational needs. The new therapy service will be delivered by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), with initial clusters based across 16 counties and including 45 schools.
